BECOME A MILLIONAIRE REAL ESTATE MOGUL

Money MagazineBy: Lisa Gibbs

(Money magazine) -- Becoming a landlord has always been a well-worn path to millionaire status, with good reason: Not only does owning properties let you generate a second source of income, your tenants' checks will help you build equity in your investment.

The case for owning rental real estate is even more compelling now thanks to depressed prices, super-low interest rates, and the fact that the shortage of rental housing is the most acute it's been in five years, according to CoreLogic.

With median prices on existing homes at around $182,600, you won't get rich by owning one home. Based on modest estimates for appreciation and reasonable expectations for profits, it's likely to take three or more properties to produce the cumulative equity and rental earnings you need to get to the nominal sum of $1 million down the road. (Throughout this story, references to $1 million are to the nominal -- not inflation-adjusted -- figure.)

HOW TO GET THERE

Maximize your market. Once you own a property or two in an area, adding a third nearby generally makes sense, says Chris Clothier, co-owner of Memphis Invest, which buys and manages rental homes for investors. "It's usually easier to manage," he says. You can also save on maintenance by using a single contractor.